Recreational & Family - Best water bottles

Hi I am new to this forum. I just wanted to say I am new to bicycling my husband and I and kids. Just started going a few miles on the bike path everyday and can't wait to do more. We have a question on water bottles . We always seem to run out of water on our trips plus the water is always warm.Despite the fact we fill with ice. We are thinking of buying some insulated bottles but they are over $10 a piece. So we are looking for some feedback on these bottles or some advise on what the best water bottles are to use .Thanks So much

I have one Zefal insulated bottle that is great for winter cycling, but it's hard to squeeze and in spite of its size, it carries only 500 mL of water.

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/5007728s_v1_m56577569830662615.jpg

On the other hand, the bottle above (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442594307&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693233&bmUID=1216614331046) has decent insulation and will keep your water cool for about one hour. If you want ice cold water for much longer, you'll need to go to a water backpack.

You might want to look at camel backs.

if the kids are on there own bikes or TABs' reaching for a bottle while at speed can be tricky for a kid.

plus it double for back to school efforts as well.

http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm

+1 on the backpack hydration systems. They will keep the liquid cooler longer and you will be able to carry more. The cost is much higher though, $20-120. $20 for the on sale clearance kid sized packs to $120 for the latest offerings. I can typically find what I need in the $30-50 range.

Don't let them mildew. A good trick is to rinse and clean after every ride (I just run about a bag of water through it and get any film off the inside of the bag if present) and keep the bag in the freezer between uses. Don't let the bag sit for very long after a ride with sweetened liquids in it. It'll cost you another bag at ~$20.

We always seem to run out of water on our trips plus the water is always warm.Despite the fact we fill with ice. We are thinking of buying some insulated bottles but they are over $10 a piece. So we are looking for some feedback on these bottles or some advise on what the best water bottles are to use .Thanks So much

Hydration is the most important aspect of carrying the liquid, if fresh and clean, it will satisfy your thirst any at air temperature.

Even the insulated bottles loose the chill, after 5 or 6 miles in a bike cage. The only way I have maintained some chill is to fill with cold water about half, then add ice cubes to the top. Ice chips seem to melt faster so I use cubes. Freezing a water bottle is another solution for 10 mile or longer excursions.

Last longer mileage trip I took in hot July temperatures, included 4 bottles, two insulated, filled 50/50 water and ice cubes, then two regular bottles filled and allowed to freeze up over night. The two insulated were carried in frame cages, the two frozen bottles placed inside a gallon zip-lock type bag and place in rear bag, (mount to rear rack).

As I emptied the caged bottles (1 each 10 miles), I then exchanged with a yet frozen bottle from the rear bag. This was good for about 40 - 45 miles of riding. The last 15 miles water at air temp, yet did what I required, satisfied my dry mouth and throat.

Good to read that you are aware of proper hydration, and teaching the family as well. Enjoy your rides and time together.:thumb:

i will agree on the backpack hydration ...

but another thing you can do to keep the water colder for longer .. if there is a place that sells dry ice in your area .. buy some of it ... and break it up ... then wrap it in saran wrap and put it in a small ziploc bag and place that in either the backpack with the water or in the bottle ...

it will keep it colder for a much, much longer amount of time ...

I have one Zefal insulated bottle that is great for winter cycling, but it's hard to squeeze and in spite of its size, it carries only 500 mL of water.

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/5007728s_v1_m56577569830662615.jpg

On the other hand, the bottle above (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442594307&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693233&bmUID=1216614331046) has decent insulation and will keep your water cool for about one hour. If you want ice cold water for much longer, you'll need to go to a water backpack.

+1 on the insulated bottles. I carry two for my daily commmute to work and love them. The insulated bottle will keep the water cool till mid day (to drink my 2nd bottle). On a hot day the water will stay descent for at least an hour maybe 2. Regular bottles will get nasty hot well within an hour on a hot day. During my Winter commute the insulated bottle also prevents the water from freezing solid. I have one non insulated bottle, and I somtimes have to wait a few hours in the Winter before I can drink out of it even after cycling for only 20 minutes (2F without the wind chill, will freeze any bottle quickly!)

Happy riding,
André

I used a hydration pack for my son when he was small enough, but big enough, for longer rides and those easy off road trails. No dropped bottles, a little extra cargo space, and some bodily protection when the bladder is half-full or more.

1. Just started going a few miles on the bike path everyday and can't wait to do more.

2. We have a question on water bottles . We always seem to run out of water on our trips plus the water is always warm.Despite the fact we fill with ice.

3. We are thinking of buying some insulated bottles but they are over $10 a piece.
1. If you're only riding a few miles you don't need a Camelbak. Camelbaks are for long rides on hot days - IMHO.

2. I've been using Polar water bottles (http://www.polarbottle.com/products/) exclusively since 2003. One I fill half way with chilled Gatorade and then fill with ice. The other is filled with ice and then water is added to full. Both drinks stay cold/cool for ~1.5 - 2 hours.
If you start doing long rides and get a Camelbak, fill it half full with ice. Then fill up with water. Stays cold for over 2 hours.

3. Quality bike stuff is expensive. Since I started riding in 1999 I've figure I've spent over $10,000 on bikes, clothing, gear, etc.